Hopefulness for the Future. The teachings of the Bible have begotten a hopeful outlook for the future. It is assumed throughout the Scriptures, as it is declared in Revelation, "the Lord God omnipotent reigneth." The sacred writers recognize a forward movement in humanity, "first the blade, then the ear, after that the full corn in the ear."2 The national turnings and overturnings narrated in the Old Testament are presented as preparatory to the nobler Christian era. "When the fulness of time was come," says Paul, "God sent forth His Son, made of a woman, made under the law, to redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons." 3 Jesus expected His gospel gradually to make its way among men, and ultimately gain general acceptance. He compared His work in founding the kingdom of heaven to a grain of mustard seed, which afterwards grew into a widespreading tree; and also to "leaven which a woman took, and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened." 4 The prophet Isaiah looked forward to a time of peace among all peoples. "They shall beat their swords into ploughshares," he predicted, "and their spears into pruninghooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more. "5 Moved by the same uplifting thought of universal peace, Tennyson sang in wellknown lines of a time, "When the war-drum throbs no longer, and the battle-flags In the parliament of man, the federation of the world." What our seers and poets, with a divine hopefulness, have thus dreamed of, seems to have the beginning of its fulfilment in the Peace Conference of the Hague. 5 Is. 2:4. 4 Matt. 13:33. 1 Rev. 19: 6. 2 Mark 4: 28. 8 Gal. 4:4, 5. Conclusion. The relation of the Bible to modern life is thus seen to be all-pervading. It has moulded our ways of thinking; it has supplied our fundamental views of the world; it has developed our institutions; it has inspired our movements of reform; it has exalted us with its noble ideals, and cheered us with its bright hopes of the future. No one can enter into the spirit of the modern world or understand its deep ethical movements without an acquaintance with the Scriptures. The utility of a knowledge of Greek and Roman history and literature is generally recognized; but a fair consideration of the matter shows that an acquaintance with the facts and truths of Scripture is of still higher importance. It may be justly claimed that such a knowledge, by far too much. neglected at the present time, is an indispensable element of liberal culture. RESEARCH WORK The students should carefully look up the following passages, which may be made the basis of comment and discussion by the teacher. Many of these passages will show that the Bible still has a message for our age. The origin of the world, Gen. 1:1; Neh. 9:6; Ps. 33:6; Is.42 : 5 ; Heb. 3:4; Rom. 11:36. The biblical view of man's origin, Gen. 1:26-29; 2:7; Mal. 2:10; Acts 17: 24-29. The right use of our talents, Matt. 25: 14-30; Lu. 19:12-27. Marriage, Gen. 2: 18; Matt. 19: 3-9; Mark 10:2-12. Bondmen or slaves, Ex. 21: 2-6; Lev. 25: 39-46; Deut. 15:12-19; Philemon. Ill-gotten and ill-used riches, Jer. 17:11; Mic. 2:1-3; Lu. 12:13–21; Jas. 5:1-6. Commercial and social relations, Lev. 19: 35, 36; Deut. 25: 13-16; Is. 1:13-17; Matt. 7: 12; 22:37-40; Lu. 11 : 37–44. The omniscience and omnipresence of God, Ps. 139: 1-12. Immortality, John 14:1-3; 1 Cor. 15:53-58; 2 Tim. 4: 6-8. Eph. 5: 1-18. The goal of national changes, Dan. 2: 19-45; Rev. 21: 1–27. CHAPTER II BACKGROUND OF HEBREW HISTORY New Sources of Information. - Until a few decades ago the Bible contained the oldest trustworthy records of ancient history. In recent years new and numerous sources of information have been brought to light; and we are now acquainted with great world-empires that form a vast background for Hebrew history. The people of Israel are antedated by the empires of Mesopotamia and Egypt by thousands of years. Before Moses led his people from Egyptian bondage or Abraham had left the city of Ur in Chaldea, a high degree of civilization existed on the banks of the Nile and the Euphrates. We cannot fully understand the history and the literature of the Hebrew people without a knowledge of these anterior nations, with whom at times the Hebrews stood in close political and commercial relations, and whose culture they inherited and in some particulars developed.1 Explorers and Excavators. For these new and invaluable sources of information we are indebted to the labors of enthusiastic explorers and excavators. The French 1"In the age to which the migration of Terah belonged, Canaan and Babylonia were in connection one with the other. Babylonian kings claimed rule over Canaan, and Canaanitish merchants were established in Babylonia. The language of Canaan was heard in the Babylonian cities, and even the rulers of the land were of foreign blood. Between Babylonia and Canaan there was a highway which had been trodden for generations, and along which soldiers and civil officials, merchants, and messengers, passed frequently to and fro." — A. H. SAYCE, "Early History of the Hebrews," p. 134. |